‘Sourced from Nissan's modern, award-winning plant in Sunderland, North England, the new Dualis is priced from $24,990 (2WD, manual) and Nissan reckons its combination of modest dimensions and versatile SUV-like interior will entice traditional hatchback buyers away from rivals Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and even Volkswagen Golf
Included in the running changes for the Dualis are significant price reductions for the existing all-wheel-dive (AWD) models which now start from $26,990 for the ST manual ($2,000 less) and top-out at $32,490 for the Ti CVT (down from $36,490). Contributing to this revised pricing strategy are a tariff reduction (the rate drops to five per cent effective 1 January 2010) and an improved exchange rate for the Australian Dollar against the Euro
What You Get
Crossovers have always been difficult to categorize - are they hatchbacks or compact SUVs? Although originally launched as an AWD crossover, without a doubt, addition of the 2WD model takes the Dualis into the hatchback market where Nissan sees great potential for significantly increased sales.
The first vehicle to emerge from the Nissan Design Europe facility in Paddington, England, the Dualis is a nicely-styled and versatile crossover hatch based on the X-TRAIL chassis.
Both AWD and 2WD versions are sold in two model grades - ST and Ti.
Family buyers will appreciate Dualis' five-star safety rating from ANCAP and standard inclusions such as six airbags, active head restraints, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Traction Control (TCS).
Those same urban resident families or couples will also be keen on the high-riding seating positions and enhanced versatility/user-friendliness compared to conventional hatchbacks
Under The Hood
If you're looking for a diesel, you'll need to be patient - Nissan says a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is on the 'Wish List' for 2010 but not yet confirmed.
In the meantime, Dualis sticks with Nissan's handy 2.0-litre petrol engine which produces 102kW at 5200rpm and peak torque of 198Nm at 4400rpm.
Drive is via a six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission.
In manual 2WD form, the Dualis returns average fuel consumption of 8.2l/100kms and emits 196g/km of CO2. Fuel tank capacity is 65 litres.
The Interior
Nissan says it's the spacious, versatile interior of the Dualis that will win-over hatchback buyers. Certainly there is little similarity between the Dualis interior and the Tiida - Nissan's mainstream small hatchback.
For starters you sit high - as per full-size SUVs (although the drivers' seat is height-adjustable). Rear seat legroom is much better than conventional hatchbacks, the rear seat splits 60:40 and there is plenty of luggage space in boot.
Ti models gain nice leather seats (heated fronts) while ST versions run high quality cloth trims.
ST models have a four-speaker single CD audio system while Ti models gain a six CD, six speaker set-up. Ti models also get a leather-wrapped steering wheel with Bluetooth connectivity and remote audio adjustment. MP3 compatibility is not currently available.
Exterior Styling
We must commend the London-based team at Nissan Design Europe for their work - the Dualis looks the part with strong, distinctive styling.
Based on the X-TRAIL platform, the Dualis shares its steeply-raked third side window with its distant SUV relative the Murano - styled By Nissan Design International in La Jolla, California. So there's a family connection but otherwise the Dualis stands on its own - positioned between the Tiida and the X-TRAIL.
An overall length of 4,315mm, a wheelbase of 2,630mm and minimum turning circle of 10.6 metres makes the Dualis well-suited to family vehicle duties in the urban environment - not intimidating for female or first-time SUV buyers and easy to park/maneuver.
On The Road
Nissan wisely introduced the Dualis with a drive program in a typical urban environment - from North Bondi Beach to Palm Beach, north of Sydney.
Car Showroom drove both manual and CVT, Ti and ST variants. With no fixed routes we were able to put the various Dualis models through their paces over some challenging roads we know behind Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill and Mosman.
Although CVT models carry a $3,000 price premium , we definitely preferred its self-shifting in the city environment and performance through the more challenging twists and curves did not disappoint. With CVTs so good thesedays, buyers of Dualis 2WD really have no need for a manual.
Should you purchase an AWD model with aspirations for the occasional of-road trip the manual could be preferred.
The Dualis has no aspiration to tackle the Golf GTi in the 'Hot Hatch' category but is competent, refined and predictable at the limits.
Again deferring to its possible off-road use, the Dualis has a 188mm ground clearance but this does not hinder its on-road driving dynamics.
Challenges
The most obvious shortcoming of the Dualis has already been addressed by Nissan in Europe with the seven-seat Dualis-Plus. Expect this model in Australia next year.
Our other question mark would be whether the Dualis 2WD could steal sales from the company's Tiida hatchback…not a problem for Nissan customers who are spoilt for choice.
Verdict
For urban couples and families the Dualis presents a well-specified alternative to traditional hatchbacks with additional space and versatility. We like its styling and packaging as well as the superb build quality for which Nissan's UK plant is renowned.
And the revised pricing is certainly very sharp - probably to the annoyance of existing Dualis owners.
The Competition
Nissan reckons the Dualis 2WD is an alternative to rival hatchbacks like the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla.
As a crossover it gets tricky - the Dodge Journey is bigger and has seven seats but costs more. The Hyundai Tucson, Kia Rondo and Suzuki SX4 are also swimming in the same pool.
Thumbs-up:
Great packaging; nicely styled; sharply priced; drives well
Thumbs-down:
No seven seats or diesel options at launch
